What Is COQ10 Made Of?

By Hina Khan on June 19, 2013

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COQ10 is a coenzyme that is similar in nature to vitamins. Produced naturally in the body it draws on dietary fibers for synthesis. This dietary fiber is generally the phenylalanine, which is commonly found in plant and meat (plant eating animals) sources.

There are ten different types of coenzymes. COQ10 is the only one that is found in the human body. COQ10 exists in the body in two forms: ubiquinone (oxidized form), and ubiquinol (reduced form). As the body uses ubiquinone, it changes into ubiquinol. The process is also often carried out in the reverse direction as and when its purpose is fulfilled.

What is COQ10 beneficial for?

As a vitamin-like nutrient, it is one of the most commonly recommended supplements by doctors. COQ10 helps nourish the body via its vitamin-like properties, as well as its antioxidant properties. It thus acts as a blood freshener, tissue strengthener, as well as an immune system and energy booster. The body naturally tends to store
COQ10 in and around organs that need the maximum attention and focus of energy, i.e., the heart, liver, kidney etc.

Although there are a host of natural foods that help the body prepare the required amount of coenzyme for the body, poor diet and food choices often lead to insufficient volumes of Coq10. Deficiency can occur in both children and adults. For such cases, Coq10 supplements can be used to overcome this deficiency and fuel the body with its required levels of the coenzyme. Coq10 supplements are generally considered very safe and doctors around the world often recommend adding this supplement to your daily diet.

What is COQ10 made of?

As already highlighted, COQ10 is not found automatically in the human system – rather it has to be developed by the body in a synthetic fashion. This requires the body to take the right types and amounts of nutrients that help it produce COQ10. These nutrients come from plant and meat sources such as different vegetables, beef, fish etc. Fats, proteins, and carbs, all contain essential nutrients that can be used by the body to synthesize COQ10.

Over the years, the process of making COQ10 such that it can be consumed in supplement form (such as pills), has evolved. It used to include extraction of the coenzyme directly from beef, especially the heart. Experiments were also conducted to extract it from tobacco leaves. However, today, the most common way of making COQ10 has evolved to a process of fermentation (synthesis outside the body), a process similar to that of developing vitamin supplements (especially vitamin B-12).

Generally, COQ10 is made by the fermentation of vegetables and other plants, as well as meat sources. The most common meat sources are beef and fish. Common plant sources include sugar cane, beetroot. Yeast strain is often applied during this fermentation process. Other sources of COQ10 extracts include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.

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About The Author

Hina Khan is a devout herbal tea fan and serves as the Business Development Manager at Buddha’s Herbs. She’s a nature enthusiast and passionate about writing on natural products. During her time at Buddha’s Herbs she’s developed great insight on natural remedies and how different products work for different ailments. On the forum, she’ll be there to help guide you on Buddha’s Herbs range of products.